is probably going to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is probably going to be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a likelihood or expectation about a future event or situation. Example: "The weather forecast suggests that it is probably going to be sunny tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Enrollment is probably going to be just fine.

The New York Times

But the seed vault is probably going to be fine.

The Washington Post

The vault is probably going to be okay.

The Washington Post

I should warn you that the bee is probably going to be at my Friendsgiving.

The New Yorker

"But in the future, I think nutritional genomics is probably going to be the sweet spot".

The New York Times

"But your craving is probably going to be lower by the time you start your eighth".

The New York Times - Science

A truly successful hangover cure is probably going to be slow in coming.

The New Yorker

"There is probably going to be more litigation drag in 2013".

The New York Times

No date has been set yet, but the wedding is probably going to be quite small".

The New York Times

"I think that is probably going to be confusing to the public," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

This soda debate is probably going to be around for some time.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is probably going to be" to express a moderate level of certainty about a future event or state. It's suitable when you have some evidence or reason to believe something will happen, but you aren't completely sure.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "is probably going to be" in formal writing; consider more concise or direct alternatives like "is likely to be" or "will likely be" for a more polished tone. Also, ensure it's not used when expressing near certainties or impossibilities where "will" or "is not" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is probably going to be" functions as a modal verb phrase, expressing a prediction or expectation about a future event. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English, indicating its grammatical correctness. It is frequently used to convey a sense of likelihood without absolute certainty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

13%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is probably going to be" is a common and grammatically correct modal verb phrase used to express a prediction or expectation about a future event with a moderate degree of certainty. As Ludwig AI validates, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When writing, consider the level of certainty you want to convey and choose more concise or direct alternatives in formal settings. Avoid overuse and ensure it aligns with the intended meaning, noting that "is likely to be" or "is expected to be" can offer a more polished tone while maintaining similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is likely to be

Replaces "probably" with "likely", indicating a strong possibility but without absolute certainty.

will likely be

Changes the structure slightly by moving "likely" before "be", maintaining a similar level of likelihood.

is expected to be

Uses "expected" instead of "probably", suggesting anticipation based on some evidence or reason.

will probably be

Moves "probably" before "be", altering the sentence structure while preserving the meaning.

is anticipated to be

Substitutes "anticipated" for "probably", implying a degree of prediction or expectation based on existing factors.

is projected to be

Employs "projected" instead of "probably", typically used when there's a forecast or prediction involved.

is estimated to be

Replaces "probably" with "estimated", which indicates a calculation or approximation.

is foreseen to be

Uses "foreseen" instead of "probably", adding a sense of inevitability or prediction based on current conditions.

is apt to be

Employs "apt" instead of "probably", suggesting a natural tendency or inclination.

is set to be

Replaces "probably" with "set", implying a predetermined or arranged outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "is probably going to be" in a sentence?

Use "is probably going to be" to indicate a likely future event based on current evidence or assumptions. For example, "The meeting "is probably going to be" delayed due to the speaker's late arrival".

What are some alternatives to "is probably going to be"?

Alternatives include "is likely to be", "is expected to be", or "will likely be", depending on the nuance you want to convey. Each suggests a slightly different degree of certainty or expectation.

When is it inappropriate to use "is probably going to be"?

Avoid using "is probably going to be" when the outcome is virtually certain or impossible. Use "will" for near certainties and "is not" for impossibilities to maintain clarity and precision.

What's the difference between "is probably going to be" and "is definitely going to be"?

"Is probably going to be" indicates a likelihood based on current evidence, whereas "is definitely going to be" implies absolute certainty. Use the latter only when you have no doubt about the outcome.